Emily Zepf

5 Reasons Society Needs Feminism

Reason #1: Feminism Helped Boost the American Economy

Im sure most of you know about Rosie the Riveter or have at least heard of the term.
During World War II the American people made a huge step towards feminism and integrated
women into the work force in a huge way. While most of the men were off at war during this
time the women filled their rolls in the trades and factory jobs left behind. This not only helped
lift America out of the worst depression in recorded it history it has also left a lasting impression
on the American economy. Today women make up approximately half of the American
Workforce. According to The Economist the empowerment of career women is one of the most
defining changes in the industrialized world: "Goldman Sachs calculates that, leaving all other
things equal, increasing women's participation in the labor market to male levels will boost GDP
by 21% in Italy, 19% in Spain, 16% in Japan, 9% in America, France and Germany and 8% in
Britain."

Reason #2: The sexual revolution improved mens sex lives too!
Birth control used to be a huge taboo in America. Today it is easily accessible and
affordable to men and women, and is also largely covered by most health insurances. Feminism
during the sexual revolution helped changed American society to start thinking that birth control
was not just about sex and being irresponsible. It was actually the exact opposite, it is used for
reproductive responsibility. Anil Dash, a writer in New York City said it best when he told
PolicyMic "At a functional level, the widespread, inexpensive availability is a huge benefit to
straight and straightish guys for an obvious reason: Sex is fun! While abortion is still being
fought over and is a hot button issue in many feminist conversations today I believe it will
eventually come down to the same bottom line birth control has, women should have the right to
control their own body, and when they do men will also benefit and flourish from THEIR
decisions.

Reason #3: The Rape is Rape campaign helped overturn an FBI policy
The FBIs definition of rape used to state: "the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly
and against her will". This was written more than 80 years ago and is the basis for their Uniform
Crime Report statistics on rape. Obviously this definition was not inclusive to oral rape, rape
with an object, or even male rape. It also did not protect women who were under the influence of
drugs or alcohol because of the use of the term forcibly. The Rape is Rape campaign was
launched by the Feminist Majority Foundation and Ms. Magazine. During this campaign over

160,000 emails were sent to the FBI pressuring them to change their view on rape. After the
decision was announced the new FBI definition of rape is as follows: Penetration, no matter
how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ
of another person, without the consent of the victim. This definition definitely covers all the
bases, even men!

Reason #4: Feminism allows women to fight for their country too
In 2013 the U.S. Department of Defense decided to end the discriminatory policy of
banning women from combat roles in the military. By allowing women to have combative roles
in the military 237,000 military jobs that were originally off limits to women became available.
Obviously this is a huge step for women-kind but it also is a huge relief to men! This has allowed
war to no longer fall solely on mens shoulders and has given women an equal opportunity to
showcase their patriotism. We are also able to double our defense efforts in America. I mean
think about it, if we were to go into a serious war why would we only use half of our fighting
power? And people wonder why weve been a war for the past decade!

Reason #5: The AIDs fighting drug was invented by you guess it, a woman!
Many people either dont know or seem to blatantly overlook the fact that women were
actively involved in demanding justice for AIDs victims in the 1980s. Princess Diana, a coveted
feminist icon is known how her influence in bringing attention to AIDs victims and causes of
HIV. She was the first public figure to be photographed touching a victim of AIDs, bringing
attention to the fact that they are not people to be feared and the disease itself is not something to
be feared. She is known for saying "HIV does not make people dangerous to know. You can
shake their hands and give them a hug. Heaven knows they need it." This is a clear example of
not only how strong and fearless women are but also how kind and understanding they can be
during times of need. And on top of all this Janet L. Rideout, Ph.D., Patented the AIDS-Fighting
Drug AZT. So if it wasnt for women and their strong feminist minds maybe people would still
be calling AIDS the gay-cancer.